QuickRemote is a low cost USB interface for a
computer control of the shutter of Digital SLR, for long exposure, capture.of
sequences, help for focusing, etc. An hardware solution for these
functions consist to use the serial or the parallel (printer) interface. But
now, USB is a more rationale, plus-and-play, and easy to use method. Remember,
the images captured by the camera are downloaded to the computer through
an USB link. So, QuickRemote is an homogeneous solution: only one USB link
is necessary between the computer and the DSLR. Amplified USB cable can be used
for distance up to 10 meters.

QuickRemote include also a 8-bits ports (DB9
connector), programmable, for future extension, like autoguiding, focusing,
...

The
QuickRemote interface.

QuickRemote works in conjunction with a
compatible remote software. It is the case for Iris
V5.0 (and upper) for control Canon EOS cameras (300D, 350D, 20D, 20Da,
...). Click here for details.

QuickRemote exploit a special mode of the FTDI
chip, called "Bit-Bang" mode. This basically
latches data to the data lines until another write is performed by the computer.
The job is simple for programmer! For a very good description of the Bit-Bang
mode, download these file: http://www.dlpdesign.com/images/bit-bang-usb.pdf

The figure below present the typical electronic
circuit. The pin 15 of the USBMOD2B is the bit 0 of the parallel FIFO. A very
minimal number of circuit is necessary.

Schematic
diagram. The USBMOD2 can be easily replaced by a DLP-USB245M (click
here for download the datasheet).

There is no need to develop drivers for FTDI
chips. The required DLL supplied by FTDI is free. A very decisive advantage!
FTDI chip is also powerful, see for example the development of QuickAudine,
the USB interface of the CCD camera Audine.